A few winter snapper and some tackle talk

Despite our best efforts the coastline will continue to be plagued by marauding bands of kingfish well into Autumn. Around this time XXL snapper also move into the shallows, which works out well because the cooler conditions clear out the Jarvis Walker flasher rig crowd (aka lesser fishermen) and there is now another excuse to go fishing. Like the lovechild of Trevor Chappell and a Mongolian warband these Autumn snapper aren't scared about fighting dirty which means your kit needs to be up to the task. While some people fluff about with 10lb leaders and mainlines made from sewing cotton in most cases this is asking for a bust off (unless the angler possesses Stephen Hawking like prowess, checkout the last image for some light line domination by Michael Jenkins. Tom also happens to be particularly efficient with his noodle stick). Like Jack and the population of America my mantra is go heavy or go home. In practical terms this means a rod and reel combination of running 15 kg mono-filament and a 30-40lb flurocarbon leader with 5/0 to 7/0 hooks. My personal setup is the venerable 8ft Kilwell Rocky II alongside a Shimano 12000D baitrunner. On the odd occasion there is the opportunity to dial things back, in this case I prefer a 8 ft 6-12 kg Penn Prevail and a Shimano Ci4 Thunnus 8000.

As you see it clearly worked well last Autumn and Winter.